Looking for some unique gifts and souvenirs to bring back for friends and family from your Baecelona holiday rental? You’re in luck! Barcelona is one of Spain’s best shopping destinations, with many great stores to check out. Here are just some of the best shopping locations in Barcelona that are perfect for browsing:

Barcelona Malls

If you like to have everything in one place, then La Maquinista is the ideal solution. One of Catalonia’s biggest malls, La Maquinista is home to more than 230 shops, giving you a fantastic selection. It’s here that you can find big international brands, like Adidas, Calvin Klein, and Foot Locker, interspersed with Spanish brands like Cortefiel, Dormity, and Furest. There’s also some small supermarkets, like Carrefour, which is great for picking up supplies and ingredients to make dinner at your villa in Barcelona.

Top Brands

For those who love top brands, it’s time to take a stroll along Passeig de Gràcia, which is one of the best locations in Barcelona for high end products. Chanel, Gucci, Boss, Mango, Guess, Burberry, Cartier, and Stella McCartney all have stores along this stretch of road, so there’s lots of places to choose from. Shopping is thirsty work, but don’t worry — there’s plenty of cafes and restaurants here, too! If you make it all the way to the end of this long street, you can relax in the beautiful Salvador Espriu gardens.

Small Stores

If you much prefer smaller, more local shops, then take a walk down Carrer de Verdi, which has a reputation for being one of Barcelona’s most quirky, unusual, and offbeat streets. You won’t find any high end brands here, but what you will find is a range of stores that allow you to make your own jewellery by selecting different beads and gems, shops selling handmade sweets and treats, all manner of recycled wood furniture, and accessory shops which are ideal for picking up some presents!

Most people agree that Spain is one of the best holiday destinations in the world. And they are correct for many reasons. If you are planning to take a vacation and heading to Spain, more specifically Barcelona, you should know a few things. This will not ruin your holiday experience. On the contrary, this will enhance your holiday Spain experience because you will be well informed.

Forget Queuing

Typically, queuing makes everything run smoothly, in an organized manner. However, in Spain, queuing is not common. The only place you will find queues is in tourist attraction sites. Even at these places, someone will jump queue unapologetically. Do not mind pushing and shoving, with a smile on your face. Everyone does it anyway. If you are going to Barcelona during the high season, prepare your elbows.

Be Polite but Do Not Overdo It

You are used to saying the words ‘thank-you’ and ‘please’ most of the time, which is okay. These words come automatically without giving much thought. In Barcelona, you will have a different experience. Please note that people in Barcelona are not rude. It is only that they do not use these words unless they mean them. Therefore, use your word ‘sorry’ sparingly. When you are looking for your Barcelona accommodation, be polite but do not overdo it.

Stay Alert

There are many pickpockets in Barcelona. Do not drop your guard once you arrive in this beach city because pickpockets will ruin your holiday experience. You can lose your camera, wallet or any other valuable item within a blink of an eye. All you need to do is stay alert because most pickpockets distract you first before stealing from you. Your holiday in Spain will go smoothly if you avoid suspicious characters who engage in vague conversation. They want to confuse you before taking off with your stuff.

Prepare for a Laidback Environment

You will feel like screaming in frustration if you are accustomed to fast services. You are on vacation anyway so slow down. Everything is laidback in Spain. It will take some time before you get seated in a restaurant (even if you have made a reservation). When you rent a villa in Barcelona, you can practice patience and adjust to this laidback lifestyle. Make sure you allocate extra time for everything you do if you do not want to yell in frustration.

No Shopping on Sundays

You will not rest because you want to; circumstances will force you to. Most restaurants and shops do not open on Sundays. It is a Spanish tradition and perhaps the only thing you will accomplish on a Sunday is booking a villa in Barcelona.

If you are looking for a Golf vacation Spain, the Costa Brava region offers some fantastic courses for both beginner and experienced players. The region boats not only a fantastic climate for the majority of the year, but also four golf courses that are ranked in Europe’s top 50 as well as many other popular courses.
There are many villas to rent in Catalonia that will provide you with the ideal base for your golfing holiday. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular.

Club Golf d’Aro

This course is located high on a hilltop near the coastal resort of Platja d’Aro. The course has spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding coast, and proves to be quite a challenging course with many water hazards and bunkers.

Emporda Golf

Considered one of the best in the Catalunya region, Emporda Golf has four 9-hole courses which have combined to make two 18-hole courses. Take your pick between lakes, dunes and bunkers or Mediterranean pines. If you have a Spain vacation rental close enough, you could spend your whole holiday here.

Girona Golf

Hole #15

There are many villas around golf courses Catalonia, and the region around Girona is no exception. The Girona Golf course relies on the natural hills of the land to provide a challenging course and has a beautiful clubhouse make of natural stone.

Club de Golf Costa Brava

For those looking for both a beach and a golfing holiday, rent a villa in Spain around the beaches of Platja d’Aro and Snt Feliu de Guixol. The course here is surrounded by cork oak and pine forests, a very stark contrast to other courses in the area. Why not spend a few days here and a few days soaking up the Spanish sun on one of the local beaches?

Barcelona is not just a beautiful city with hundreds of things to do. When you’re ready to take a break from your beautiful rental villa, why not check out these five restaurants that offer cuisine local to Barcelona, so you can truly get a taste of what this city has to offer?

1. Cera 23

If you’re looking for a place to find amazing tapas or to go on a special occasion, Cera 23 is the place for you. The restaurant is intimate, elegant, and relaxing, and the staff is friendly and inviting. Though the menu is small, each dish is made with care. Delicious flavors, unique presentation, amazing cocktails, and delicious desserts await you at Cera 23.

2. El Xampanyet

El Xampanyet offers a unique dining experience in Barcelona with a delicious food bar. Just go up to the counter and order what looks good to you! They do, of course, also have a drink bar with nice cold beer and cocktails. The restaurant is a bit tight and cozy, but friendly and vibrant. If you want to be around people, this is the place to be.

3. Tosca Palau

A traditional restaurant with plenty to offer, Tosca Palau’s menu is large enough that you are certain to find something for everyone. If you want tapas and wine, you’ll want to head to this restaurant. With friendly staff, large open windows, and a great atmosphere, Tosca Palau’s makes a great stop before you venture on to your nighttime activities.

4. La Cova Fumada

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Looking for an authentic Spanish dining experience? Look no further than La Cova Fumada. You will be seated with other diners, so you can get to know the local people or other tourists. The cuisine is like eating a family recipe passed down from generation to generation. Each dish is amazing and you’ll want to try more than one. They have plenty to offer, including alcoholic beverages, and you definitely will not be disappointed.

5. La Peninsular

Craving seafood? La Peninsular is certain to satisfy your craving! They offer some of the best and most authentic Spanish seafood dishes in Barcelona. Their restaurant is fun, family-friendly, and casual.
We hope you enjoyed the local cuisine that Barcelona has to offer! Now you can return to your amazing vacation rental, or continue on with your night (or afternoon) in this awesome city!

You’ve booked your holiday rental for your trip to Spain, you’ve even looked up where to visit, maybe even found some places to eat. But now you’re staring at your open suitcase and wondering what you need to pack. Well, check out the tips below to know what you definitely do (and do not) want to pack!

Important Documents

It may seem like an obvious one, but make sure you have your important documents packed and ready. You’ll need your passport and you may want to consider buying a passport pouch, so you can keep it close to you at all times and won’t lose it.
You also need to remember to sign up for traveler’s insurance in case anything bad happens on your trip. Although we’d love to believe that everything will go exactly as planned, it’s better to have contingencies in place just in case.

Clothing

Although Spain is one of the fashion capitals of the world, most of its people are very religious so you’ll want to be cautious with how you dress if you want to fit in.
First, don’t dress immodestly unless you’re at the beach. It isn’t considered appropriate. In fact, unless your arms are already completely covered, it’s even respectful to wear a shawl when going inside churches and cathedrals.
Second, don’t wear flip-flops anywhere except the beach. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, tennis shoes or flats, something you can do a lot of walking in. Do not wear high heels unless going to a formal event.
Finally, make sure you check the weather before you go and also while you are there. The weather changes depending on different seasons and different locations. Northern Spain tends to be colder and rainier than Southern Spain. Bring layers! Even if you go during the warm months, many of the buildings are air-conditioned and you’ll want a sweater or cover-up of some kind.

Extras

Here are some other things you may want to bring:
• Water bottle with a built-in filter
• Travel toilet paper
• Waterproof phone case
• Power Adapter (for Spain)
• Portable Charger
Remember to leave plenty of room in your suitcases for souvenirs. Pack anything you’d take on a normal trip with a few extras because you won’t be in your home country and other countries have different laws and items available in their stores.
Most importantly, have fun!

Garraf is one of the 42 regions of Catalonia. It is located in the province of Barcelona, its capital is Villanueva and La Geltrú and it is located just 1 hour from Barcelona.

You can easily reach Garraf by car or train (40km south of Barcelona).

There you can enjoy the Mediterranean Sea combined with the incredible view of the mountain, some farmhouses, houses of Indians and mansions have been transformed into charming accommodations, restaurants and wineries that offer visits and activities that bring us closer to the wine culture.

Book a table to the famous Chiringuito de Garraf and enjoy a good glass of wine accompanied by a plate of fresh seafood.

Explore this small seaside village and make some unforgettable memories.

Ibiza is a very picturesque island, but sometimes in order to see it in all its glory, it is best to view it from the sea. There are countless tour companies that will take you out on a boat for the day to see various parts of the dramatic coastline. Some will even take you around the entire circumference of the island. It is easiest to catch one of these trips if your Ibiza holiday rental is in one of the main coastal towns and resorts, but if you are located inland, you will still be able to get there using a hired car or public transport.

From the sea, you will be able the see the island from an entirely different perspective. The beaches and cliffs look particularly impressive, and you may even get the chance to tour some of the smaller out lying islands and take a dip in the waters that surround them.

Chances are that the boat that you travel in will be a traditional Ibiza boat, made by local craftsmen for an original boating experience.

If you don’t fancy an organised excursion and still want to escape the crowds, opt for hiring your own boat and touring the island. Contrary to what you might think, this option will not break the bank, especially if you reserve a vessel with a large group. Getting out of your vacation rental in Ibiza and onto the seas can be one of the most memorable parts of the trip, whether you simply want to explore the coastline, find hidden coves, visit Formentera, or get a glimpse of a beautiful sunset at Es Vedra.

Es Vedra

There are many types of boats to choose from depending on the sort of activity that you are looking for. Many opt for speedy motor boats to whizz around from place to place, or if you are looking for something a bit more relaxing, then a sailboat might be a better choice.

Spending a holiday in Catalonia means experiencing one of the most diverse and stunning locales in Europe, but just as much beauty and splendour lie just beyond the borders of the region in northeastern Spain. Venturing a little further is a great way to extend your holiday in Spain and see more of the region and what it has to offer. Here are three nearby towns and regions that are well worth visiting.

Monzón

Monzón is a small place with a very rich and fascinating history. It offers breathtaking scenery thanks to the two rivers that flow through the area — the Sosa and the Cinca — and many come here to view the impressive hilltop castle which boasts a very ornate and somewhat Moorish design.

Journey time from Barcelona: Approximately 2 hours

Peñiscola.

Peñiscola

Peñiscola is located just down the coastline from the Ebro Delta, narrowly missing out on being a part of Catalonia. Often called the ‘City in the Sea’, Peñiscola is said to be one of the most beautiful towns in Spain and attracts large numbers of visitors who are drawn to the old medieval walls and castle.

Journey time from Barcelona: 2.5 hours

Journey time from Tarragona: 1.5 hours

Perpignan

Although located just outside of Catalonia in Southern France, Perpignan is highly influenced by Catalonia, and many street signs are actually written in both French and Catalan. The area is famous for its wine, olive oil, and cork, as well as for its attractive bridges that cross the River Basse.

Perpignan.

Journey time from Barcelona: 2 hours by car

If you’re looking for a few day trips or overnight stays to enjoy as part of your Barcelona vacation, and you’re thinking of exploring the world beyond the Catalan border, then these three places are definitely worth adding to your list.